The Press Box.

Korda Outlasts Sampras-barely

December 12, 1993

MUNICH — With both players staggering around from exhaustion and cramps, Petr Korda upset top-ranked Pete Sampras in a marathon match Saturday to earn a shot at the Grand Slam Cup title against defending champion Michael Stich.

Stich, having his best year and ranked No. 2, rallied to beat Stefan Edberg 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in the other semifinal.

Korda and Stich were assured of earning $812,500 for making the final of the $6 million event, the world's richest tournament. Sunday's winner will collect $1.625 million.

"I'll try to sleep and maybe I can wake up, maybe I can play tennis," Korda said.

Korda had ice applied to his sore left arm at the start of the second set, and was hardly able to run in the last few games.

But Sampras was in even worse shape. He was led to the restroom during the changeover at 10-9 in the final set, but couldn't take more than one or two steps and virtually gave up in the final two games. He missed the news conference, and tournament officials said he was suffering from dehydration and stomach cramps.